Big HD Tick for X Factor USA

Simon Cowell’s contest for new American idols launches 7.30pm Thursday and will screen Friday nights as well.

Credit to TV3 for going the extra distance and airing X Factor USA in HD within hours of its US transmission — while TVNZ continues to air in SD American Idol and its latest hot-off-the-satellite attractions, The Jonathan Ross Show and the upcoming Charlie’s Angels.

HD satellite delivery may cost broadcasters extra in bandwidth but what’s the point of claiming HD kudos if you’re not committed to maximising it?

TV3 slipped up when it opted for an SD feed of the Royal Wedding.

But generally it screens everything it can in HD (and would air even more if its deal with NBC-Universal Media didn’t preclude series licensed under an earlier non-HD agreement from airing in HD for subsequent seasons, like House, Law & Order and Special Victims Unit).

It won’t be known until closer to transmission if X Factor USA will have 5.1 audio, as TV3 will access it off the satellite only four hours before it’s broadcast.

Meanwhile, for the latest on the X Factor USA countdown, see The Hollywood Reporter’s comprehensive coverage and Entertainment Weekly’s take.